Thimble



July 25, 1944. w c U L I 2,354,280

THIMBLE .iffarzzeysf Filed April 14, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 1 w. c. RUSSELL July 25, 1944.

THIMBLE Filed April 14, 1943 s Sheet s-Sheet 2 ,lva a! July 25, 1944. w.'c. RUSSELL 2,354,280

THIMBLE Filed April 14, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ewe??? Patented July 25, 1944 William -C..;-lli us soll, ,Kenosha, IWis, assignoruto Macwhytel company;Kenoslia, -Wis., a corpov ration of Illinois I Application April l i This invention relatestoa thimble' for used-n connection with a sling, and His applicable' to slings 'formedof wire rope or a-p1urality of wire ropes, or to slings 'formed-of-ropes made of materials other than wire; "Itmay also,'ofcourse,

, 1943, 'SerialNo'. 482,981

be used in connection with braided ropeislings.

One object of the invention'is to;provide'a thimble in which means are provided for .forming or receiving a button which'engages both thefs'ling and the thimble and prevents or limits movement of the sling with respect tothe thimble. I

Another object is toprovide such, a 'thimble with means ,for receiving afbutton whichmay be cast in place about and in contact .with the sling after the latterhas been'placedjn position about the thimble. i u

Another object is to provide a thimble. soarranged that a button which has been-positioned upon the sling before it is placed-about the thimble may be readilyreceived. v L y Other objects will appear iromrtime ,toutime throughout the specification and claims.

This invention .is illustrated moreor-less diagrammatically in the accompanying-drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is afront elevation of oneformotthe thimble with parts broken away andpartsin section. g r

Figure 2 is a side elevation of-the'thi-mble of Figure 1. a

Figure 3-is a sectional larged scale at line 3--3* of Figure 1.

Figure i is a sectional detail of the :thimblerof Figure 1 with the sling omitted.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional detail taken at line 5-5-of Figure 4.

Figure6 is a side elevation showinga modified form of the thimble arranged with two sling elements or ropes in place. 7 x

Figure '7 is a sectional detail on an enlarged scale at line T'l of Figure 6.

Figures is a front elevation with parts broken away and parts in section, showingvazrfurther modified form in which only a single button is used. I

Figure 9c is. afront elevation .with'parts broken away andparts in section; showing astill' further modified form, in. which two buttonsare used and in which the buttons?- are positionedadja- 'on' an enlarged scale: at line ton is slotted or the sling.-- v

Figure his. a transverse sectional 1 detail taken H-'-'-'H of'Figure-1Q.

Figure '12 is a fragmentary front elevation of a further modificationlin -which 'that portion-' of the thimble which receives the "buttonis substantially cut awayxto'lpermit'the insertion -offa partially cut "away to receive sling, :with a button. already in position upon the sling. 4

Figure 13'is a'slide elevation of the-form shown in Figure 12.'

'Figure 14is-a transverse'sect'ional detail taken on an enlarged scale at-line 14-44 of Figure '13. Figure "'15 is affront elevation of a modified formof thimble :with parts broken away and detail taken on. an: en-

cent the points oftangency of 'the sling' with respect to the thimble.

Figure '10 is-a side elevation of-"amodification of the form showingjn Figure 1 in which' rthat portion of the thimble awhich encloses the -but* .'|9- -|9 of Figure 17: Like parts are "indicated: by 'likezcharacters parts in section. v

Figure 16 is a 'transversesectiontaken atline I6-I6 of Figure 515.

' Figure 17' is a View generallylike "Figure 15-,

showing a further i modification.

Figure 18 is a; transverse section'take'n' at line 18-5-18 of Figure 17. Y 7

Figure 19 is a 'transverse section takenat ine throughout the specification and' the drawings. As shown in Figures 1} 2, 3, 4 and 5,'the 'thimble is formed'of an endless member I, whichmay' be provided with a pair of laterally-extending flanges 2, zybetweenwhich is formed agtoov'e. The flanges are provided with outwardlyextending portions 3, 3', which-are joined by 'a transverse member '4. -Within the space sur rounded by the flanges 2,2, the extensions or enlargements 3,3 and'the transverse member 4 is formed a cavity 5, within which 'the'-button may be received. As "shown in' 'Figures 1,2fand '3,

the sling is formed of a single rope 6,; which extends about the sling and lies partially between the flanges '2, 2- and extends under the member 4 and through the'rcavities 5; After the sling has been positioned about the thimble, buttons 1, 1 are formed upon the sling and within-the cavities'5. These buttons arefor'r'ned usually by casting, and one suitable materialfor such buttons is zinc. Obvioulsly the buttons"may bezformed of other materialsjand the invention is not limited particularly" to 'a zinc button, -'The flanges 2; 2 are expanded adjacent'their lower ends to form the enlargements-8y8" and are joinedby cross portions 9, 9; These cross portions may be *flared outwardly; as shown in Figure -1,--'sothat the two ends of the 51mg 6 may 5 be swung outwardly; andthe portions'9- are pref -V the thimble are flared outwardly front and back, as shown at II, II.

to engage the two sling portions. The sides of,

This flare is in addition to theft flare formed by the members} and permits the four ends of the sling sections to be spread out or swung out front and back, as well'as'right and left.

The modified form of Figure-8 is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1, except thatthere is only a single button, and this is en-' closed in enlargements I2, I2 of the flanges 2, these enlargements being joined by a single trans- Verse member I3; and a single-enlarged button I4 is contained within the depression formed between the flanges 2, the enlargements I2, and the transverse member I3.

,In the form of Figur'ei9, the construction substantiallythatcof Figure 1, except that the buttons are received inthe lower portion of the thimble, and instead of requiring enlargements 3 and thetransverse member 4. as is the case in Figure 1, the cavities for the fbuttons are formed within the enlargements 8 and the transverse members .9, and the buttons I are so positioned. These buttons may be tapered in shape, as shown, or may have whatever other shape is desired.

In the further modification'of Figures 10 and 11, the construction is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1, except that the trans verse member or portion is omitted, and the enlargements, or outward extensions 3 "of" the flanges 2 stop short of each other, so that an open space I6 remains between their ends. The width of this space will normally be the width of the sling '6, and thus the sling, instead of being threaded into place, will merely be passed through the opening'fli and thereafter the button; I is castinplace.

The modified form of Figures 12., 13 and 14 is arranged to receive a sling member 6 upon which one or more "buttons I! have been Dreviously placed. These buttons may be formed of any suitable material. For example, they may be made of zinc, which may be cast in place about the sling, or they'may be steel, wire or other material which is swedged in place upon the sling. To permit the insertion'of the slime with the buttons 'in place, th flanges2 of the thimble are provided with pairs of upwardly extending members I8, and these members are of such size that they provide shoulders I8 against which the ends of the buttons I! abut. This construction does not of itself hold the sling against outward movement away from the groove, but the button cooperates with the shoulders to prevent or to limit movement of the sling around the' thimble and thus it accomplishes enerally the same result in that respect as do the previous forms. This form also, of course, permits removal of the button and rope or sling, if desired. 'While it is of particular advantage where a ferrule,-sleeve, or button has been secured to the'rope or sling before the latter isplaced about the: thimble,--.obviouslycven with this form the button, ferrule or sleeve could be secured about the rope after the latter is placed about the sling.

The modified forms of Figures 15 to 19, inelusive, differ from the forms of the preceding figures primarily in the fact that the thimble shown is more or less crescent shaped and does not form in itself a complete eye. In the form of Figures. 15 and 16 arrangement is made for three cavities in which are received three buttons and the rope or sling will be threaded through the cavities, and the "buttons will then be formed in place by casting or otherwise. In

I the, form of Figures 17, 18 and 19, cavities are 15.

provided-for the reception of two buttons which may be cast or otherwise formed upon the sling or rope before it is put in place about the thimble. The thimble is provided with several pairs of relatively flexible lugs between which the sling or rope is placed. After the sling or rope is in place about the thimble, the flexible lugs are formed into the position shown in Figure 19, lIlvWhlChjthey surround. and embrace the rope gor sling and hold it in place about the thimble.

As .shownin Figures 15 and 1'7, the thimble comprises a segmental or crescent shaped member, 20, whichis provided on either side with flanges ..2I, which between themselves form a groove This thimble differs from those previo'uslyshown primarily in the fact that it does not form a complete closed eye. Positioned at oneor morepoints about its periphery are members 22, whicharepreferably integral with the flanges 2| and which as shown in, the figures form with the flanges a complete enclosure. Formed beneath each of thermembers 22 and partially within them and partially within the members 2I and thethimble 20 are depressions '23. When the thimble is to be used, a rope or sling 24 is threaded beneath the members 22 and fbuttons 25 are cast or otherwise formed with in each of thedepressions and about and embracing'the sling member.v The purpose of the buttons *and the depressions is the same as that described in connection with the earlier forms.

In the form of the device shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19, the thimble 26 is of the crescent or segmental shape, and it is provided on each side with flanges 21 which between themselves form a groove suitable for receiving the rope or sling member 28. Positioned at several points about the periphery of the thimble are pairs of flexible lugs 29. When the sling or rope member has been placed in the groove between the flanges 21, the flexible lugs may be depressed into the dotted line position of Figure 19, and when so depressed they surround and engage the sling or rope and hold it against outward displacement with respect to the thimble.

Each of the flexible lugs 29 may, if desired, be weakened or of reduced thickness, as at 30, adjacent its ends. The purpose of this construction is to facilitate bending of the lugs and to prevent tearing or cracking of the material at this point.

At. one or more points about the periphery of. thethimble, means are provided for receiving va button. As shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19', these means comprise pairs of outwardly projecting members 3|, Each of these members has an inner face 32 against which a button may abut. 'As shown, there are two sets of members 31' on'each side of the thimble. Cavities or depressions are formed between each pair of memiaaameo l3 Buttons;-;34 are cast or otherwise After a sling'membenor-rope has been positionedabout the groove in the exterior of the thimble 26, with its bu-ttons-fitting into the depressions, the lugs 29-are depressed to the dottediline position of Figure-19, and: inthat .po- .sition they retain the sling in pl-aceabout the thimble. They prevent its outward separation fromithe .thimb'le, and the buttons prevent movement of the sling about the thimble.

. The userand operationof this inventionare as ..follows:

In general, the thimbles of this invention are "intended-for use 1 in-slings and. primarily,. although not exclusively, for use with equalizing slings. In such slings, the sling member, of whatever it mayv beymade, is placed-about the thimble andsomesortof fitting is secured to the free ends of the sling. Typical of such fittings are hooks or other thimbles. In all of the formsexcept that-of Figures 1-2, 13 and 14, after the sling has been placed about 'the thimble but- .tonsfiare formed thereon, preferably by casting,

and one suitable material for such buttons is zinc or an alloy of zinc, although the'invention is not limitedto this particular metal, nor, in fact,

to the 'use of ,metalat all, since other materials oan be-used for forming the buttons.

In the form of Figures 12, 13 and 14 the but .ton, sleeve-or ferrule is preferablysecured to :the T0136" or sling'before the latter has been placed about the thimble. It is to be understood that the form of these three figures canbe embodied in a device in 'which' the socket forreceiving the button is placed adjacent the crown of the --sleeve,'asshowninFigures .1 and 2, or at the top, as shown in Figure 8,..or adjacent the points of tangency; as shown=in Figure 9.

- However the' button, sleeve, or ferruleiis secured to z-the'sling membenonce ithasbeentsecured, it pfurnishes one I or more members which ;prevent; or limitwmovement of the slingabout the thimble.

It .is'recognized that buttons have previously been oastbr otherwise secured'to sling -members, but they have been secured to.a portion of the sling member which is'outside or beyond the thimble.

For example, in some cases buttons havebeen secured zto each of the sling members just belowitherthirrlble; With that construction, when an unequal pull occurs on the .slingmember, so'that a'tendencyis setup-to to shift the sling aboutthethimble, only one of these buttons.can resist :that tendency. Under these conditions: one of the buttons 'will be pulled-against the bottom of .the :thimble, and the; other will be pulled .away .from the. thimble. In the'several "forms of the present construction, gandparticularly-in the-forms in which a plurality of b.uttnsis used,each .button is effective to fresist movement of :thesling about the thimble, because each button1is"enclosed within a .cavity which has a plurality ofshoulders. Thus in the form of Figure 1, should an unequal pull onithe'sling tend :tozmove the right-hand portion of ,theslingdownward andthus carry the lefthand :portion upward,,:the right-hand':portion I will resist this by its contact :with the shoulder formed by the cavity within which it has been cast,i:andsimilarly,thedeft-hand portion 1 will also resist this movement by contact with its shoulder. JFSh'Qllld the tendency-be reversed, each button= willqresist4this1tendency just as effectively; because it 'will then. be in contact with and pulled gagainsttheoppositely placed shoulders.

.The effect just described above occurs equally whether the "'buttons be at or near the crown ofithe thimble; asinFigure 1, or at or near the points iof tangency asrin Figure 9. It'occurs similarly-in thei'orm-of Figures 12, 1-3 and 14, be-

cause each of the buttons, sleeves-or ferrules i1: is in'position to contact either of its shoulders I9, depending upon the direction of the pull.

Another result which followsirom positioning the buttons-:within the body of the sling, so

.that theyare; wholly 'IQI' largely surrounded by thimble; parts; :isthat the button is protected against accidental displacement or breaking or other undesirable results which do occur, when the-"button is positioned outside of the-thimble and therefore in an unprotected position. 'Even :in-the'forms of Figures 12, 13 and 14, there is substantial protection for-the sleeve or ferrule l1.

because of themember l 8,-which projects outwardlybeyond it, as indicated particularly in Figure .14. The constructionoi this invention therefore provides efiective and improved operation of the"buttons-, sleeves, or ferrules and provides also for protection of thesemembers against displacement or damage.

-While-the thimbles shown here are indicated as beingzintegral that is to say, as-being made of a single,integral: mass oi-"metal, itis to be understood that; they might, be made of'separate parts permanently secured together, and for some pur-- posesthey need notxbe-made-of metalpbut might he-made of other material. Where inthe specification and claims it'isstated that the thimbles are :integraliz: or .funitaryjithesewords are to be takenlasmeaning that the thimble, whether it be'made ofoneior. several parts, comprises after it has been: completed a single, permanent unit.

lclaimz, =;1.:In:combinatioma thimble and a'sling,'said Islingbeingpositioned about said thimble, said sling .havingcan enlargement fixed to it, said thimble being shaped to provide a space within 'Which'said enlargement is positioned, said space :beingprovide'd with portions against which both ends of said-enlargement.bear,'and whereby rela- --tive movement of Jthe-enlargement and of the sling rin any "direction -abo'ut thethimble is resisted. l .12; In combination, athimble and a sling, said sling being positioned about said thimble, said sling having enlargements fixed to it,-said thimble being shaped to provide spaces within'which said: enlargements are positioned, said spaces being providedwitli portionsadjacent the ends of said enlargements and against which said enlargements bear, and whereby'relative movement of theenla'rgements and of the sling in any direction about the thimble is resisted.

3:3. In combination; a thimble and a sling, the thimble being-formed of a member shaped to provide an -eye and toprovide a portion against which said sling isposit'ioned, there being a buttori formed upon said sling sa'idthimble provided with' members embracing said sling, said members shaped-toprovide a cavity of approximately the size andshape of said-button and overlying its ends,*whereby saidbutton and said sling are held against movementin any direction about said thimble.

In combinationyathimble and a sling, the thimble being formed of a member shaped to pro- .bers embracing said sling,

'vide an eye and to provide a portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a, button formed upon said sling, said thimble provided with integral members embracing said sling, said members shaped to provide a cavity of approximately the size and shape of said button, and provided with two opposed shoulders against which said button is seated and whereby said button and said sling are held against movement about said thimble. y l i 5. In combination, a thimble and a sling, the thimble being formed of an "endless member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a portion against whichsaid sling is positioned, there being a button formed upon said sling, said thimble provided with members embracing said sling, said members shaped to'provide a cavity of approximately the size and shape of said button, and provided with two opposed shoulders against which said button is seated and whereby saidbutton and said sling are held against movement about said thimble.

6. In combination, a thimble and a sling, the thimble being "formed of an endless, metallic member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a button formed upon said sling, said thimble provided with members embracing said sling, said members shaped to provide a cavity of approximately the size and shape of said button, and provided with two opposed shoulders against which said button is'seated and whereby said button'and said sling are held against movement about said thimble.

7. In combination, a thimble and a sling, the

thimble being formed of a single, endless, metallic member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a button formed upon said sling, said thimbleprovided with integral'm'em said members shaped to provide a cavity of approximately the'size and shape of said button and to provide stop for. the ends of said button, whereby said button and said sling are held against movement about said thimble.

8. In combination, a thimble and a sling, the thimble being formed of a member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a plurality of buttons formed upon said sling, said thimble provided with members embracing said sling, said members'being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the sling member and shaped to provide cavities having opposed shoulders and of approximately the size an shape of said buttons, whereby said buttons and said sling are held against movement about said thimble.

9. In combination, a thimble and a sling, the thimble being formed of a member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a, portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a plurality of buttons formed upon said sling inter.- mediate its ends, said thimble provided with members embracing said sling, saidmembers throughout a part of their length being spaced apart-a distance equal to the width of said sling and said button and shaped to provide cavities of aproximately the size and shape of said buttons and to overlie the ends thereof, whereby said buttons and said slingare held against movement about said thimble. i

10. In combination, a thimble and a sling, the

thimble being formed of a single, endless, metallic member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a plurality of buttons'formed upon said sling intermediate its ends, said thimble provided with integral members embracing said sling, said members being spaced apart a. distance substantially equal to the width of the sling member and shaped to provide cavities of approximately the size and shape of said buttons, the ends of said cavities being reduced to a diameter less than the diameter of said buttons, whereby said buttons and said sling are held against movement in either direction about said thimble.

11. In combination, a thimble and a'sling, the thimble being formed of a single, endless, metallic member shaped to provide an eye and to provide a portion against which said sling is positioned, there being a plurality of buttons formed upon said sling intermediate its ends, said thimble provided with integral members embracing said sling, said members throughout a part of their length being spaced apart a distance equal to the width of said sling and said button and shaped to provide cavities of approximately the size and shape of said buttons, the ends of said cav'ities being reduced to a diameter less than the diameter of said buttons, whereby said buttons and said sling are held against movement in either direction about said thimble.

12. A thimble for use with slings, said thimble comprising an endless body shaped to form an eye and to provide a sling receiving portion, and integral members overlying said sling receiving portion, and adapted to embrace said sling, and

provided with a space of greater diameter than said sling, said space shaped to provide a. plurality of opposed shoulders, and adapted to engage and retain a button fixed upon said sling.

13. A thimble for use with slings, comprising :an endless member defining a sling eye, and defining a space adapted to receive a sling, said member including parts positioned to extend about said sling after the latter is in place, and shaped also to provide within said parts a cavity of greater diameter than the sling member, said cavity being provided with opposed shoulders and being adapted to receive a button cast therein about and in contact with the sling.

14. A thimble for use with slings, comprising a member defining a sling eye, and defining a space adapted to receive a sling, said member including parts positioned to extend wholly about said sling after the latter is in place, and shaped also to provide within said parts a cavity of greater diameter than the sling member, said cavity being provided with opposed shoulders and being adapted to receive a button cast therein aboutand in contact with the sling.

15. A thimble for use with slings, comprising an endless member defining an eye, and having outwardly extending flanges positioned on each side of said member, said flanges being joined adjacent their lower ends by transverse members and being joined elsewhere by members which extend across from one'flange to the-other, there being formed within said joining members cavities having opposed shoulders and of a diameter greater than that of the sling, said cavities being adapted to receive material which is to be placed about the sling after the latter has been placed in position about the thimble.

WILLIAM RUSSELL. 

